Ecosystem Ecology Flashcards

1
Q

Define ecosystem ecology

A

Study of communities of organisms and the physical environment they occupy

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2
Q

Physical and biological components of ecosystems are linked by what?

A
  1. Cycle nutrients within system

2. Transfer energy through system

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3
Q

Ecosystems are involved in what types of interactions?

A

Abiotic and Biotic

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4
Q

Describe the function of an ecosystem

A

Energy from sun flows in one direction (energy entering is processed then transformed)
Matter is recycled within ecosystem (results in outputs: heat, water flow, waste products)

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5
Q

Species interactions result in food chains/webs that re-cycle what?
How do they do this?

A

Carbon and other elements

Through photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition

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6
Q

What are the most important interactions within communities and why?

A

Predation and herbivory because they are major links to the carbon and nutrient cycles

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7
Q

Ultimately ecosystem function depends on what?

A

Autotrophs to form organic molecules by reducing carbon
Photoautotrophs-photosynthesis
Chemoautotrophs-chemosynthesis

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8
Q

Material cycle in communities through what?

A

Various trophies levels

Primary producers–>consumers–>decomposers

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9
Q

How does energy flow through ecosystems?

A

Species interactions form tropic pyramids that transfer energy through ecosystems

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10
Q

Energy does cycle within ecosystems

TRUE OR FALSE?

A

FALSE

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11
Q

New energy must be what to sustain an community?

A

Continually harvested

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12
Q

Some energy is stored in the chemical bonds or organic molecules (carbohydrates) by who?

A

Producers

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13
Q

Relatively small amounts of energy is transferred from one trophies level to the next based on…

A

Allocation

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14
Q

Explain the principle of allocation of energy

A

Each organisms has a limited amount of energy available for allocation for:

  • maintenance
  • obtaining food
  • movement
  • dealing with predators
  • coping with change
  • growth
  • reproduction
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15
Q

From the base of plant productivity about how much of the biomass of each trophies level is passed onto the next?

A

10%

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16
Q

Most energy that organisms use is lost as heat through metabolism, this means:
(A) fewer organisms at highest trophic levels where less energy is available
(B) upper trophies levels depend on primary productivity by primary producers through photosynthesis
(C) more organisms at highest trophic levels where more energy is available
(D) each energy level contains 20% of the energy from the trophic level below
(E) none of the above
(F) A and B
(G) A and D

A

(F) Both A and B

17
Q

Define productivity

A

Rate of generation of biomass

Expressed in units of mass per unit surface or volume per unit time

18
Q

Define Primary productivity

A

Rate of generation of biomass by photoautotrophs

Light and water availability can limit primary productivity

19
Q

Aquatic ecosystem have a what limitation?

20
Q

Terrestrial ecosystems have a what limitation?

21
Q

Define nutrients

A

Elements and compounds required for survival that are consumed by organisms

22
Q

Define macronutrients

A

Nutrients required in large amounts (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus)

23
Q

Define micronutrients

A

Nutrients needed in small amounts

24
Q

Nitrogen and phosphorus are important for what growth?

A

Nitrogen and phosphorus

25
Law of Minimum
For every population there will be one limiting resource which determines the carrying capacity of the habitat
26
The Earth is?
Closed system for matter | Open system for energy
27
How is energy introduced to the system?
Energy from sun and radioactive decay in interior magma drives processes that move matter
28
Processes moving matter are referred to as?
Biogeochemical cycles
29
Define pools (reservoirs)
Where nutrients reside for varying amounts of time
30
Define Flux
Movement of nutrients among pools, which change over time and are influenced by human activities
31
Define Sources
Pools that release more nutrients than they accept
32
Define sinks
Pools that accept more nutrients than they release
33
What are the 3 nutrient cycles?
1. Carbon 2. Nitrogen 3. Phosphorus
34
Explain the Phosphorus cycle
Weathering-->runoff-->upwelling-->sedimentation-->tectonic uplift